Caleta Tortel, Coastal village in Patagonia, Chile.
Caleta Tortel is a coastal village in southern Patagonia that spreads between the Baker River and Baker Channel along the waterfront. All structures stand on stilts with an extensive network of wooden boardwalks connecting buildings in place of conventional streets.
The settlement was established in 1955 by the Chilean government to develop cypress wood industry in this remote Patagonian region. It later grew into a fishing community that adapted to its location by building distinctive wooden pathways instead of roads.
The name reflects the meeting point between river and sea. Daily life here centers on shared wooden pathways where residents naturally encounter each other while moving between homes and the waterfront.
Bring Chilean pesos since the village has limited banking services and most shops do not accept credit cards. The wooden pathways can be wet and slippery, so wear appropriate footwear and watch your step when moving around the settlement.
The village was originally reachable only by boat, so residents created wooden boardwalks as a practical alternative to roads. This solution proved so functional that the settlement has never built a conventional road network.
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